The name should be the clue as to what kind of restaurant this primarily is: a steakhouse. There are other menu options, including some of Sydney’s wonderful seafood, but in reality if you’re looking for a seafood meal, you’re better to go a few doors down to I’m Angus’s sister restaurant, Nick’s. But, if you really feel like some really wonderfully cooked steak at a great location, I’m Angus is well worth a look.

The restaurant itself is along the waterfront promenade of Cockle Bay Wharf, in Darling Harbour. This precinct opened in the late 90s and started off fairly quiet but has now become a buzzing area any night and at any time of year. It is possible at times to walk up to any of these restaurants and get a table, but it is always advisable to book if you want to be sure, and on a weekend, you may need to be flexible with times.

Unfortunately, with the increase in patronage has come an increase in prices, and whilst this place used to be a bit of a steal in terms of value for the quality of food, it is now on the higher average end of Sydney restaurant pricing. You’re probably looking in the mid-$30 range for a main course – so it’s not exorbitant but you could get a decent steak nearby for less.

That being said, I still believe it is worth the extra few dollars if you really want one of those steaks that makes you pause to taste it while you chew it. They cook the steaks really well and they are really yummy, plus all the sides I’ve ever tried have been quite tasty as well. The wine list is fairly extensive and the desserts are amazing. My personal menu favourites are the sirloin steak with mushroom sauce, with a side of steamed vegetables. If I have room for dessert, the Baileys crème brulee or stick toffee pudding are both pure heaven for the sweet tooth in the party.

The layout of the restaurant is warm and open, with about half of the seating out on a terrace. If the weather does turn bad, they do have awnings and umbrellas to cover most of the seating, so it’s not too much of a concern, but this place really comes into its own on a nice clear evening. The lighting is soft and you are sitting on a slightly elevated terrace so your view of the harbour is not hindered by all the people walking on the promenade. Darling Harbour being a bit of an open entertainment hub can also mean you can strike it lucky with some kind of free background entertainment – I have been there when they’ve had a floating stage with a Beatles cover band; another time when the Bacardi Festival was on and there was plenty of Latin music and colourful outfits around; and also a Sydney Festival weekend when, completely unexpectedly for myself and my friends, our dessert was accompanied by fireworks. Sydney loves an excuse to show off how pretty it can be, and the Darling Harbour precinct is no exception.

You can check the events calendar for Darling Harbour before you go – it might be a good idea to make sure whether or not one of the larger events such as the Boat Show or Motor Show are on, because this could really make a big difference as to how busy the whole area is and how much space and attention you can get anywhere around there.

I highly recommend this area for a nice night out by the water, particularly if you are looking for somewhere with parking close-by – the Sydney Convention Centre and Entertainment Centre car parks are within 10 minutes walk and you will generally get a space – and without quite the price tag of the Circular Quay area, or many other harbourside restaurants.

And I definitely recommend I’m Angus for a really good steak.